Trump plans $2.8 billion Israel arms sale with 40,000 heavy bombs

The Trump administration is planning to sell Israel 40,000 2,000-pound bombs in one of the largest such US arms packages in recent years, a deal worth $2.8 billion that includes thousands of MK-84 and BLU-117 bombs, according to US officials cited by news agencies.

The proposed package, first reported by The Washington Post, includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs, 20,000 BLU-117s and 20,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads.

The weapons would largely be financed through US foreign military financing, under which American taxpayer funds are provided to Israel to purchase US-made military equipment.

The destructive power of the MK-84

The MK-84 is one of the most powerful conventional bombs in Western military arsenals. Weighing 2,000 pounds, it can produce a massive blast capable of sending metal fragments hundreds of metres and penetrating thick concrete and other structures.

The bomb can also leave large craters and cause extensive damage across a wide area, raising particular concerns about its use in densely populated urban settings.

Israel has used 2,000-pound US-made bombs in Gaza and Lebanon, drawing scrutiny from rights experts over the potential for large-scale civilian casualties.

The Biden administration halted the delivery of some of these heavy bombs two years ago over concerns about their possible use in densely populated parts of Gaza. Trump lifted the suspension after returning to office.

A major boost to Israel's military

The proposed sale comes as Israel continues to face international pressure over its military campaign in Gaza, launched after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 people and saw more than 250 others taken hostage, according to Israeli figures.

The US Congress has been informally notified of the proposed package.

The deal is the latest in a series of major US arms transfers intended to bolster Israel's military capabilities under the Trump administration.

Last year, the administration bypassed the normal congressional review process to approve an arms sale worth nearly $3 billion that included more than 35,500 bombs.

In January, it approved another series of arms sales to Israel valued at $6.67 billion.

Questions over their use in Gaza

The Israeli military has released limited information about the specific bombs and artillery used during its Gaza campaign. However, analysts examining strike footage and bomb fragments recovered from attack sites have identified evidence consistent with the use of US-made heavy munitions.

Such weapons have been used against Hamas' extensive tunnel network, but strikes involving powerful bombs have also hit densely populated areas, where civilians have been among the casualties.

Although the intensity of fighting has declined since a fragile ceasefire took effect in October, Israeli strikes in Gaza have continued.

The continued attacks have also complicated diplomatic efforts to consolidate the ceasefire. Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key figure in his Middle East diplomacy, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month as part of efforts to advance the ceasefire and urged Israel to reduce its attacks.

Israel defends campaign as self-defence

More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military campaign, according to Gaza health authorities.

A US inquiry has determined that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, a charge strongly rejected by Israel.

Israel says its military campaign is an act of self-defence and is aimed at Hamas, which it holds responsible for the October 2023 attack.

The proposed $2.8 billion weapons package would add another major tranche of US-made heavy bombs to Israel's arsenal at a time when questions over civilian casualties, the conduct of military operations and the future of Gaza remain at the centre of international debate.